Magnetic connector

ABSTRACT

A magnetic connector has a plug core disposed around a plug contact set and a receptacle core disposed around a receptacle contact set. The plug core defines a generally elongated circular plug core edge. The receptacle core defines a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge. The receptacle core edge defines an air gap and the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap. A coil is disposed around the receptacle core, and the coil, the plug core and the air gap define a magnetic circuit. The coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/230,063, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/288,987, filed Oct. 7, 2016, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,205,272, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/783,424, filed Mar. 4, 2013, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,466,919, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/721,199, filed Mar. 10, 2010, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,388,353, which claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/159,336, filedMar. 11, 2009, titled Magnetic Connector, hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Noninvasive physiological monitoring systems for measuring constituentsof circulating blood have advanced from basic pulse oximeters tomonitors capable of measuring abnormal and total hemoglobin among otherparameters. A basic pulse oximeter capable of measuring blood oxygensaturation typically includes an optical sensor, a monitor forprocessing sensor signals and displaying results and a cableelectrically interconnecting the sensor and the monitor. A pulseoximetry sensor typically has a red wavelength light emitting diode(LED), an infrared (IR) wavelength LED and a photodiode detector. TheLEDs and detector are attached to a patient tissue site, such as afinger. The cable transmits drive signals from the monitor to the LEDs,and the LEDs respond to the drive signals to transmit light into thetissue site. The detector generates a signal responsive to the emittedlight after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site.The cable transmits the detector signal to the monitor, which processesthe signal to provide a numerical readout of oxygen saturation (SpO₂)and pulse rate. Advanced blood parameter monitors utilizing multipleLEDs that transmit a spectrum of wavelengths incorporate pulse oximetryand the capability of additional hemoglobin, perfusion and pulsemeasurements such as carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), methemoglobin (HbMet),total hemoglobin (Hbt), total hematocrit (Hct), perfusion index (PI) andpulse variability index (PVI), as a few examples.

High fidelity pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion inducednoise are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028, 6,658,276, 6,157,850,6,002,952 5,769,785, and 5,758,644, which are assigned to MasimoCorporation (“Masimo”) and are incorporated by reference herein.Advanced physiological monitors and corresponding multiple wavelengthoptical sensors are described in at least U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/367,013, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple Wavelength SensorEmitters and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/366,208, filed Mar. 1,2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, assigned toMasimo Laboratories, Inc. and incorporated by reference herein.Noninvasive blood parameter monitors and corresponding multiplewavelength optical sensors, such as Rainbow™ adhesive and reusablesensors and RAD-57™ and Radical-7™ monitors are also available fromMasimo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Advanced physiological monitoring systems utilize a significant numberof control and signal lines, creating a high pin density for sensor,cable and monitor connectors. This high pin density places a heavydemand on the connector mechanisms with respect to connect/disconnectease, connection integrity, connector cost and life. A magneticconnector advantageously utilizes one or more of electromagnets,permanent magnets, magnetically permeable materials and air gaps toauto-align, attach, hold and release connectors for physiologicalmonitoring applications.

One aspect of a magnetic connector is a receptacle and a plug. Thereceptacle has a wiring end, a receptacle contact end, a receptaclecore, a coil and a receptacle contact set. The plug has a cable end, aplug contact end, a plug core and a plug contact set. An air gap islocated in the receptacle core at the receptacle contact end. The coil,the core and the air gap form a magnetic circuit so that energizing thecoil creates a magnetic field in the air gap. An anchor extends fromplug core at the plug contact end so as to fit within the air gap. Thereceptacle contact set and the plug contact set electrically connect asthe anchor inserts into the air gap.

In various embodiments, the receptacle core has an inner core and anouter core. The coil is wrapped around the inner core. The inner coreand the outer core have concentric elongated circular receptacle edgesthat define the air gap. The plug core has an elongated circular plugedge that defines the anchor. The receptacle contact set has a socketblock with contact apertures and contacts at least partially disposedwithin the contact apertures. The plug contact set has a pin block withpin apertures and pins at least partially disposed within the pinapertures. The pins insert into the contacts.

Additional embodiments include at least one permanent magnet disposed ineither the anchor or the air gap or both. Power leads transmit currentfrom a power source to the coil. A switch in series with one of thepower leads is actuated either to block current in the power leads andde-energize the coil or to pass current in the power leads and energizethe coil. An LED in series with one of the power leads illuminatesaccording to the flow of current in the power leads so as to indicate ifthe coil is energized.

Another aspect of a magnetic connector involves interconnecting anoptical sensor and a physiological monitor with a magnetic connectorhaving a monitor receptacle and a cable plug. A receptacle core and aplug core are each constructed of magnetically permeable material.Receptacle contacts are housed within the receptacle core, and plugcontacts are housed within the plug core. The receptacle core and theplug core are interconnected so as to electrically connect thereceptacle contacts and the plug contacts. The receptacle core and theplug core are also magnetically coupled so as to maintain theinterconnection. In an embodiment, a coil is wrapped around either thereceptacle core or the plug core so as to form an electromagnet. An airgap is formed in the electromagnet core and an anchor is formed toextend from the other core. The anchor fits within the air gap. Currentto the coil is switched on or off so that the electromagnet assists inlocking the anchor within the air gap or releasing the anchor from theair gap.

In various embodiments, at least one permanent magnet is embedded withinone of the cores. If a permanent magnet is embedded within or near theanchor or near the air gap, then the permanent magnet locks the anchorwithin the air gap when the coil is de-energized. When the coil isenergized, it creates an opposing field to the permanent magnet withinthe air gap so as to release the anchor. This permanent-magnet-basedmagnetic coupling holds the receptacle and plug together when the coilis de-energized, but allows the receptacle and plug to be easilydisconnected by briefly energizing the coil.

A further aspect of a magnetic connector is first and second magneticelements having first and second contact sets. The first contact set ishoused proximate the first magnetic element, and the second contact setis housed proximate the second magnetic element. At least one of themagnetic elements is responsive to a current input so as to alter amagnetic coupling between the magnetic elements. The magnetic couplingassists in making or breaking an electrical connection between the firstand second contact sets. In an embodiment, the first magnetic elementcomprises a core of magnetically permeable material, a conductive coilhaving “N” turns disposed around at least a portion of the core, coilleads in communications with a current source and an air gap definedwithin the core. The current source has “I” amps energizing the coil soas to generate a electromagnetic field within the air gap proportionalto N times I. In an embodiment, the second magnetic element comprises ananchor of magnetically permeable material sized to closely fit withinthe air gap. The contact sets make an electrical connection as theanchor is manually inserted into the air gap and break an electricalconnection as the anchor is manually withdrawn from the air gap. Theanchor locks within the air gap in response to a magnetic field withinthe air gap so as to maintain an electrical connection between thecontact sets.

In various other embodiments, a switch in series with the coil controlswhether the coil is energized, and an LED in series with the switchindicates whether the coil is energized. A permanent magnet isincorporated within the first magnetic element near the air gap and/orwithin the second magnetic element in or near the anchor. The permanentmagnet has poles oriented so that its magnetic field opposes the air gapfield.

In yet another embodiment, a magnetic connector has a plug means and acorresponding receptacle means for interconnecting a sensor and acorresponding monitor. The magnetic connector also has a socket meansand a corresponding pin means housed within the plug means and thereceptacle means for making and breaking electrical communicationsbetween sensor conductors and monitor conductors as the plug is insertedinto and removed from the receptacle, respectively. Further, themagnetic connector has a pair of mating magnetic element means housedwithin the plug means and the receptacle means for assisting in at leastone of the making and breaking of electrical communications between thesocket means and the pin means. In an embodiment, the mating magneticelement means comprises an electromagnet means for generating a magneticfield within an air gap and an anchor means for locking within andreleasing from the air gap according to power provided to theelectromagnet means. Various other embodiments include a permanentmagnet means for opposing the air gap magnetic field disposed proximateat least one of the air gap and the anchor means, a switch means formanually controlling the air gap magnetic field so as to secure orrelease the anchor means within the air gap and/or an indicator meansfor visually identifying the state of the air gap magnetic field.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a physiological monitoring system havinga magnetic connector;

FIGS. 2A-D are illustrations of different magnetic connectorconfigurations for connecting a sensor and a monitor;

FIG. 3 is a general block diagram of a magnetic connector;

FIGS. 4A-C are illustrations of various magnetic coupling mechanismsincorporated within a magnetic connector;

FIGS. 5A-F are front and back, perspective and exploded, connected anddisconnected views of a magnetic connector receptacle and plug;

FIGS. 6A-E′ are cross sectional exploded, disconnected, connected anddetailed views of receptacle and plug core assemblies;

FIGS. 7A-D are top, perspective, front and side views, respectively, ofa receptacle inner core;

FIGS. 8A-D are top, perspective, front and side views, respectively, ofa receptacle outer core;

FIGS. 9A-D are top, perspective, front and side views, respectively, ofa receptacle contact set;

FIGS. 10A-D are top, perspective, front and side views, respectively, ofa plug core; and

FIGS. 11A-D are top, perspective, front and side views, respectively, ofplug contact set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a physiological monitoring system 100 having a sensor110, a monitor 120, a cable 130 interconnecting the sensor 110 and themonitor 120, and a magnetic connector 140. The magnetic connector 140has a receptacle 142 mounted in the monitor 120 and a plug 144terminating the cable 130. Advantageously, the magnetic connector 140utilizes magnetic fields generated by combinations of electromagnets,permanent magnets, magnetically permeable materials and air gaps toauto-align, attach, hold and release the receptacle 142 and plug 144. Inthis manner, a relatively small connector having the high contactdensity needed for advanced physiological monitoring applications can bemade to have ease of use, durability and low cost characteristics. Thesecharacteristics are particularly important for handheld monitoringapplications. Various combinations of sensor 110, monitor 120, cable 130and magnetic connector 140 are described with respect to FIGS. 2A-D,below.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate different configurations of one or more magneticconnectors 240, 250 utilized to connect a sensor 210 and a monitor 220.FIGS. 2A-B illustrate dual magnetic connector configurations and FIGS.2C-D illustrate single magnetic connector configurations. As shown inFIG. 2A, in a first configuration, a sensor 210 is connected to amonitor 220 via a patient cable 230 and a sensor cable 212. The patientcable 230 is a standalone component and the sensor cable 212 is integralto the sensor 210. A first magnetic connector 240 is disposed proximatethe monitor 220 for connecting the patient cable 230 to the monitor 220.A second magnetic connector 250 is disposed between the patient cable230 and the sensor cable 212 for connecting the patient cable 230 to thesensor 210.

In particular, the first magnetic connector 240 has a receptacle 242mounted to the monitor 220 and a plug 244 mounted to one end of thepatient cable 230. A magnetic field provides at least some force forassisting a person to join and/or disjoin the receptacle 242 and plug244 so as to electrically connect and/or disconnect patient cable 230conductors and monitor 220 conductors. The monitor 220 has a button 260that is actuated so as to energize/de-energize the magnetic field in thereceptacle 242. The monitor 220 also has an indicator light 262 thatsignals the magnetic field status as on or off.

Similarly, the second magnetic connector 250 has a receptacle 252mounted to one end of the patient cable 230 and a plug 254 mounted tothe end of the sensor cable 212. Likewise, a magnetic field provides atleast some force for assisting a person to join and/or disjoin thereceptacle 252 and plug 254 so as to electrically connect and/ordisconnect patient cable 230 conductors and sensor cable 212 conductors.Also, the patient cable receptacle 252 has a button 270 so as toenergize/de-energize the magnetic field in the receptacle 252 and anindicator light 272 that signals the magnetic field status as on or off.A magnetic connector embodiment including a receptacle and a plug aredescribed with respect to FIGS. 5-11, below.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in a second configuration, a sensor 210 isconnected to a monitor 220 via a patient cable 230. A first magneticconnector 240 is disposed proximate the monitor 220 and a secondmagnetic connector 250 is disposed proximate the sensor 210 forinterconnecting the sensor 210 and the monitor 220 via the sensor cable230. The first magnetic connector 240 is as described with respect toFIG. 2A, above. The second magnetic connector 250 is as described withrespect to FIG. 2A, above, except that the plug portion 254 is disposedproximate the sensor 210.

As shown in FIG. 2C, in a third configuration, a sensor 210 is connectedto a monitor 220 via a sensor cable 212. A single magnetic connector 240is disposed proximate the monitor 220 for connecting the monitor 220 tothe sensor 210 via the sensor cable 212. The magnetic connector 240 hasa receptacle 242 mounted to the monitor 220 and a plug 244 mounted tothe end of the sensor cable 212 for interconnecting the sensor 210 andthe monitor 220. Otherwise, the magnetic connector 240 is as describedwith respect to FIG. 2A, above.

As shown in FIG. 2D, in a fourth configuration, a sensor 210 isconnected directly to a monitor 220. A single magnetic connector 240 isdisposed between the monitor 220 and sensor 210. In particular, themagnetic connector 240 has a receptacle 242 disposed proximate themonitor 220 and a plug 244 disposed proximate the sensor 210. Otherwise,the magnetic connector 240 is as described with respect to FIG. 2A,above.

As described with respect to FIGS. 2A-D, a monitor 220 may be, asexamples, any of a multi-parameter patient monitoring system (MPMS), aplug-in to a MPMS, a standalone monitor, a handheld monitor, a handheldmonitor docked to a docking station, a personal monitoring device or anyphysiological parameter calculating device that processes one or moresensor signals to derive a physiological measurement. As describedabove, a sensor 210 may be a reusable, resposable or disposable sensor;an optical transmission or reflection sensor; a blood pressure sensor; apiezo-electric or other acoustic sensor; an assembly of EKG or EEGelectrodes; or any non-invasive or invasive device for providingphysiological signals to a monitoring or calculating device.

FIG. 3 generally illustrates a magnetic connector 300 having areceptacle 301 and a plug 302. The receptacle 301 has a contact set 310and magnetic element(s) 320. The plug 302 has a contact set 360 andmagnetic element(s) 370. The magnetic element pair 320, 370 provides amagnetic coupling 305 between receptacle 301 and plug 302. This magneticcoupling assists a user in making or breaking the electrical/mechanicalconnection between the contact sets 310, 360, making or breakingcontinuity between receptacle wiring 312 and plug wiring 362. In aparticularly advantageous embodiment, the receptacle magnetic element(s)320 incorporate an electromagnet. When energized by a current source322, the electromagnet generates a magnetic field within an air gap 330so as to attract or repel a corresponding anchor 380 that closely fitswithin the air gap 330. In various embodiments, the magnetic elements320, 370 may include one or more of electromagnets, permanent magnets,materials with high magnetic permeability, air gaps and anchors. Invarious embodiments, the receptacle or plug may be integrated with amonitor, such as mounted to a monitor chassis, or attached to a sensorcable or patient cable, for example.

FIGS. 4A-C generally illustrate various magnetic coupling 305 (FIG. 3)embodiments between the receptacle and plug of a magnetic connector,such as generally described above with respect to FIG. 3. Theseembodiments include a receptacle core 410 defining an air gap 412 and acorresponding plug core 480 defining an anchor 482. An electromagnet isformed from the receptacle core 410, a coil 420, a DC current source430, a switch 440 and an indicator 450. When the switch 440 is closed,the coil 420 is energized, the indicator 450 is on and the electromagnetgenerates a magnetic field within the air gap 412. When the switch 440is opened, the coil 420 is de-energized, the indicator 450 is off andthe air gap magnetic field is extinguished. The receptacle core 410 andplug core 480 are constructed of materials having a high magneticpermeability. A substantial magnetic field is created in the air gap 412having north “N” and south “S” polarities as shown. The receptacle core410 and plug core 480 can be any of a variety of shapes and sizes. Forexample, the embodiment described below with respect to FIGS. 5-11utilizes a receptacle core that defines an elongated, circular air gapand a plug core that defines a corresponding elongated, circular anchor.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in a first embodiment, the plug core 480 or atleast the anchor 482 is a soft iron material and the switch 440 isnormally closed (N.C.). Accordingly, D.C. current normally flows in thecoil 420 and a magnetic field is maintained in the air gap 412. As such,the anchor 482 is attracted to and held within the air gap 412, lockingthe corresponding plug (not shown) to the corresponding receptacle (notshown). The switch 440 is actuated to interrupt the D.C. current, whichreleases the anchor 482 from the air gap 412 and allows the plug to bepulled from the receptacle.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in a second embodiment, the plug core 480 is apermanent magnet or is a material with a high magnetic permeabilityembedded with one or more permanent magnets 490. The permanent magnetfield attracts the anchor 482 to the air gap 412, so as to lock acorresponding plug to a corresponding receptacle. The switch 440 isnormally open (N.O.). Accordingly, actuating the switch 440 pulses theD.C. current to the coil 420, temporarily creating an opposing field(N), (S) within the air gap 412. This releases the anchor 482 from theair gap 412 and allows the plug to be pulled from the receptacle.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in a third embodiment, the plug core 480 is a softiron material. One or more permanent magnets 460 are embedded within thereceptacle core 410. The permanent magnet field attracts the anchor 482to the air gap 412, so as to lock a corresponding plug to acorresponding receptacle. The switch 440 is normally open (N.O.).Accordingly, actuating the switch 440 pulses the D.C. current to thecoil 420, temporarily creating an opposing field (N), (S) within the airgap 412. This releases the anchor 482 from the air gap 412 and allowsthe plug to be pulled from the receptacle.

FIGS. 5A-F illustrate a magnetic connector embodiment 500 having areceptacle 501 and a plug 502. The receptacle 501 is mountable to adevice, such as a physiological monitor. The plug 502 is attachable to asensor cable or a patient cable. The receptacle 501 has a core 700, 800(FIGS. 5E-F) that defines an elongated circular air gap 510. The plug502 has a core 1000 (FIGS. 5E-F) that defines an elongated circularanchor 550, which inserts within the air gap 510. The receptacle core700, 800 and corresponding coil 600 (FIGS. 5E-F) form an electromagnetthat, when energized, generates a magnetic field within the air gap 510.Depending on the configuration, the electromagnetic field holds orreleases the anchor 550 from the air gap 510 so as to lock or unlock theconnection between the receptacle 501 and plug 502.

Also shown in FIGS. 5A-F, the receptacle 501 has a receptacle contactset 900 and the plug 502 has a plug contact set 1100. When thereceptacle 501 and plug 502 are connected, the plug contact set 1100inserts into the receptacle contact set 900, electrically coupling thereceptacle 501 and socket 502. This electrical coupling provides anelectrical path between cable conductors attached to the plug 502 at acable end 560 (FIG. 5A) and wires attached to the receptacle 501 at adevice end 530 (FIG. 58).

As shown in FIGS. 5E-F, the receptacle 501 has a coil 600, an inner core700, an outer core 800 and a contact set 900. The receptacle core 700,800 forms a receptacle housing. In particular, the coil 600 is woundaround the inner core 700 and enclosed by the outer core 800. Thecontact set 900 is mounted inside the inner core 700. The plug 502 has acore 1000 and a contact set 1100. The plug core 1000 forms a plughousing, and the contact set 1100 is mounted inside the plug core 1000.

FIGS. 6A-E are cross-sections of the receptacle core 700, 800 and plugcore 1000. As shown in FIGS. 6A-C, the coil 600 is wound around thereceptacle inner core 700 and enclosed by the outer core 800. Thusconfigured, the front edges of the receptacle core 700, 800 form an airgap 510. Likewise, the front edge of the plug core 1000 forms an anchor550 that inserts (FIG. 6C) into the air gap 510. As shown in FIG. 6D, ifDC current flows in the top-half of the coil in a direction into thepage and in the bottom-half of the coil in a direction out of the page,then the magnetic field 603 produced by the coil has a north pole, N, atthe left and a south pole, S, at the right (right-hand rule). As shownin FIG. 6E, the magnetic flux 604 in the receptacle core resulting fromthe magnetic field 603 is mostly confined within the walls of thereceptacle core 700, 800, and results in a magnetic field in the air gap510 as shown. As a result, the magnetic field in the air gap 510 has anorth pole at the outer core portion and a south pole at the inner coreportion. Thus, a “slice” of the receptacle core 700, 800 andcorresponding air gap 510 are analogous to the core and air gapdescribed with respect to FIGS. 4A-C, above. Likewise, a “slice” of theplug core 1000 and plug anchor 550 are analogous to the plug core andanchor described with respect to FIGS. 4A-C, above.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate further details of the receptacle inner core 700,outer core 800, receptacle contact set 900, plug core 1000 and plugcontact set 1100. As shown in FIGS. 7A-D, the receptacle inner core 700mounts the receptacle contact set 900 (FIGS. 9A-D), supports the coil600 (FIGS. 5E-F), and defines a portion of the receptacle core air gap510 (FIG. 5A). The inner core 700 has a planar base 710 defining a backside 702 and a tubular coil support 720 extending from the base 710 anddefining a front side 701. Both the base 710 and the coil support 720have an elongated, circular cross-section. Inside the coil support 720is a bracket 730 and corresponding bracket holes 732 for mounting thereceptacle contact set 900 (FIGS. 9A-D). A wiring aperture 740 provideswiring access to the contact set 900 from the back side 702. Anelongated circular edge 722 defines a portion of the air gap 510 (FIG.5A) at the front side 701. In an embodiment (not shown), the base 710provides chassis mounts for attaching the receptacle 501 (FIGS. 5A-B) toa monitor.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-D, the receptacle outer core 800 houses the coil,inner core and contact set and defines a portion of the receptacle coreair gap 510 (FIG. 5A). The outer core 800 has a tubular housing 810defining a back side 802 and a tubular edge 820 extending from thehousing 810 and defining a front side 801. Both the housing 810 and theedge 820 have elongated circular cross-sections, with the edge 820cross-section having a smaller circumference than the housing 810cross-section. The edge 820 also defines a portion of the air gap 510(FIG. 5A).

As shown in FIGS. 9A-D, the receptacle contact set 900 has a front side901, a back side 902, a socket block 910 and corresponding contacts (notvisible). The socket block 910 has a generally rectangularcross-sectioned body 910 and generally circular mounting ears 920extending from the block sides. The ears have ear holes 922 that acceptfasteners. The socket block 910 also has several rows of apertures 912that extend from the front side 901 to the back side 902. Conductivecontacts (not visible) are disposed within the apertures 912 and areconfigured to mate with corresponding plug pins 1130 (FIGS. 11A-D),described below. The receptacle contact set 900 mounts within the innercore 700 (FIGS. 7A-D) so that the mounting ears 920 rest on the corebracket 730 (FIGS. 7A-D). The contact set 900 is attached to the innercore 700 (FIGS. 7A-D) with fasteners disposed through the ear holes 922and mounting holes 732 (FIGS. 7A-D).

As shown in FIGS. 10A-D, the plug core 1000 mounts the plug contact set1100 (FIGS. 11A-D) and defines an anchor 550 (FIG. 5B) that releasablylocks within the receptacle air gap 510 (FIG. 5A). The plug core 1000has a tubular housing 1010 defining a back side 1002 and a tubular edge1020 extending from the housing 1010 and defining a front side 1001. Theedge 1020 has an elongated, circular cross-section. The housing 1010 hasan elongated, circular cross-section near the front side 1001 and acircular cross-section near the back side that accommodates a cable (notshown). Inside the housing 1010 is a bracket 1030 and correspondingbracket holes 1032 for mounting the plug contact set 1100 (FIGS. 11A-D).A cable aperture 1040 provides cable entry for wiring access to the plugcontact set 1100 (FIGS. 11A-D) via the back side 1002. The elongatedcircular edge 1020 defines the anchor 550 (FIG. 5B) at the front side1001.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-D, the plug contact set 1100 has a front side1101, a back side 1102, a pin block 1110 and corresponding pins 1130.The pin block 1110 has a generally rectangular cross-sectioned bodyhaving generally circular mounting ears 1120 extending from the blocksides. The ears 1120 have ear holes 1122 that accept fasteners. The pinblock 1110 also has several rows of apertures 1112 that extend from thefront side 1101 to the back side 1102. Conductive pins 1130 are disposedwithin the apertures 1112 and are configured to mate with correspondingreceptacle contacts, described above. The contact set 1100 mounts withinthe plug core 1000 (FIGS. 10A-D) so that the mounting ears 1120 rest onthe core bracket 1030 (FIGS. 10A-D). The contact set 1100 is attached tothe receptacle core 1000 (FIGS. 10A-D) with fasteners disposed throughthe ear holes 1122 and mounting holes 1032 (FIGS. 10A-D).

A magnetic connector has been disclosed in detail in connection withvarious embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examplesonly and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow. One ofordinary skill in art will appreciate many variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic connector for a cable, the magneticconnector comprising: a first electrical communicator configured tocouple with a corresponding second electrical communicator; and a firstmagnet disposed within the first electrical communicator and configuredto align and hold the first electrical communicator in place with thesecond electrical communicator, wherein the first magnet comprises anenergizable magnetic circuit comprising a coil configured to conduct anelectrical current to generate a magnetic field, wherein the energizablemagnetic circuit is configured to energize and deenergize in response toactuation of a user input; and a second magnet disposed within thesecond electrical communicator and configured to be responsive to thefirst magnet, wherein the second magnet comprises one or more ofelectromagnets or permanent magnets.
 2. The magnetic connector of claim1, wherein the first magnet comprises one or more of electromagnets orpermanent magnets.
 3. The magnetic connector of claim 1, whereinenergizing the first magnet comprises generating a first magnetic fieldoriented in an opposite direction from a second magnetic field of thesecond magnet.
 4. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein energizingthe first magnet comprises generating a first magnetic field oriented ina same direction as a second magnetic field of the second magnet.
 5. Themagnetic connector of claim 1, further comprising a button configured toenergize and deenergize the first magnet.
 6. The magnetic connector ofclaim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to indicate anenergization of the first magnet.
 7. The magnetic connector of claim 1,wherein the magnetic connector is comprised as part of a physiologicalsensor.
 8. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the magneticconnector connects to a physiological monitoring system.
 9. The magneticconnector of claim 1, further comprising an air gap.
 10. The magneticconnector of claim 9, wherein the first magnet generates a magneticfield substantially within the air gap.
 11. A magnetic connector methodfor electrically coupling a first electrical communicator with a secondelectrical communicator, the method comprising: defining a first magnetdisposed within the first electrical communicator, wherein said firstmagnet comprises a conductive coil configured to conduct an electricalcurrent to generate a magnetic field; generating a first magnetic fieldby applying a current to the conductive coil in response to actuation ofa user input; and defining a second magnet disposed within the secondelectrical communicator, wherein said second magnet is configured to beresponsive to the first magnetic field.
 12. The magnetic connectormethod of claim 11, wherein the second magnet comprises one or more ofelectromagnets or permanent magnets.
 13. The magnetic connector methodof claim 11, wherein the first magnetic field is oriented in an oppositedirection from a second magnetic field of the second magnet.
 14. Themagnetic connector method of claim 11, wherein the first magnetic fieldis oriented in a same direction as a second magnetic field of the secondmagnet.
 15. The magnetic connector method of claim 11, furthercomprising illuminating an LED in response to generating the firstmagnetic field.
 16. A magnetic connector for a cable, the magneticconnector comprising: a first electrical communicator configured tocouple with a corresponding second electrical communicator; and a firstmagnet configured to align and hold the first electrical communicator inplace with the second electrical communicator, wherein the first magnetcomprises an energizable magnetic circuit configured to: in a firstenergization state, generate a first magnetic field oriented in anopposite direction as a second magnetic field of a second magnetdisposed within the second electrical communicator; and in a secondenergization state, generate a third magnetic field oriented in a samedirection as the second magnetic field of the second magnet.
 17. Themagnetic connector of claim 16, wherein the energizable magnetic circuitis further configured to generate the first or third magnetic fields inresponse to actuation of a user input.
 18. The magnetic connector ofclaim 16, wherein the first magnet comprises one or more ofelectromagnets or permanent magnets.
 19. The magnetic connector of claim16, wherein the first magnet comprises a coil configured to conduct anelectrical current and generate a magnetic field in response toapplication of a current to the coil.
 20. The magnetic connector ofclaim 16, further comprising an air gap, wherein the energizablemagnetic circuit is further configured to generate the first or thirdmagnetic fields substantially within the air gap.